Life as I see and experience it through the lens of faith.

A Love Letter to Spencer

Welcome to the world! I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you, to hold you, and to shower you with kisses and love as I was able to do with your mommy when she was born and your brother, Liam when he came into our lives.

I want you to know how lucky you are. You have amazing parents. They are the best of friends, they love each other passionately, they love your brother, and now they have you. They are lucky too because you will bring them immense joy just as Liam has. You couldn’t ask for better parents, trust me. I’m your Nonna and I wouldn’t lie to you. I am so proud of the parents they are.

Not every child who comes into the world is loved the way you are. The world isn’t always a safe or nice place, but you are fortunate to have been born to people who know how to parent, who know how to love their children for who they are. They also understand how important it is to be encouraging, to love unconditionally, and to do their best to protect you and keep you safe. Who you are and will be is exactly what they want for you. Not what they think you should be or what the world says, but how God has created you to be. In the world we live in today, that is a huge thing, let me tell you. Your Nonna’s work, as you will find out soon enough, is all about that. I help people understand how much God loves them just the way they are while challenging them to be the best they can be and help others. Something must have stuck with your mommy, because she chose a life partner that believes the same thing. That is how they have been raising Liam and that is how they will raise you.

Your parents will raise you to love yourself and love others. They will teach you to look out at the world beyond yourself. They will encourage you in your studies and help you figure out what it is you want to do with your life. They will be behind you one hundred percent. You will be nurtured and loved not just by them, but by two grandmothers, a Papa, aunts, uncles and so many friends. You have a whole community of love that has been waiting to embrace you. Never forget that. Never forget how special you are, but never forget that there are needs in the world and one of the things for you to figure out as you grow up will be to find out where your gifts match those needs. If you learn to do that, to give of yourself, to share the gifts God has given to you, you will receive so much more than you could ever give. This is something else I know a lot about.

I hope and pray that life is nothing but gracious and good to you. However, into every life some sadness comes. My prayer is that your sense of self, the foundation of love you will be given, and your faith will sustain you. Please remember that who you are is enough. Please don’t ever forget that I love you as fiercely and as passionately as your parents do and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. There is nothing you could ever do or say that would make me love you less or turn away from you. Come to think of it, that is how God’s love is. God’s love is so gracious and unconditional. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you could do to make God love you less. There are angry and sad people in the world who may try to tell you differently. Don’t listen to them. Just know that God’s love is bigger than anything we human creatures can possibly imagine.

I don’t know where life will take you. I can’t wait to see how you will set your piece of the world on fire. It’s still tough for women these days. I’m working on that too. I hope that by the time you are an adult, actually before that time, women will truly be equal to men. That they will be treated fairly and justly, and not objectified.

Enjoy your childhood. Play. Have fun. Be silly. Please don’t be in a hurry to grow up. And laugh. Please don’t forget to laugh. A sense of humor is very, very important. Be kind, Spencer. Always be kind and you will never go wrong.

That’s probably more than you can understand or want to know right now. Your Nonna can be intense and passionate when it comes to certain things. That’s something else you’ll find out about me in time.

In the meantime, little one, bask in the glow of God’s love which surrounds you through your parents, grandparents, and all the other people who think you are pretty special.

I thank God for you, Spencer. I never knew it would be possible to love other human beings as much as I have loved your mommy, Auntie Aly, Uncle Hunter and Auntie Emily, but I can. That love just as big is named Liam and now you, Spencer. I’m so full I could burst.

There’s one more thing. If you ever wonder what this life is all about. It’s love. Really. Jesus said so, and I believe him because I’ve felt it and experienced it. I know you will too.

About Me

Welcome to my blog. In case you were wondering about me and what I have to say, and I'm assuming you are because you found your way here, let me fill you in. I'm a feminist, wife, mother, grandmother, clergy woman, progressive Christian, and social/ political activist. I am also a fledgling writer. One of my goals this year is to take more risks - the kind of risks that enhance physical, intellectual and spiritual growth. This is my first foray into writing for public consumption. I'm raw. I'm a newbie. Did I mention that I'm terrified? I have a lot to say and I'll say it with as much love and grace as I can. Please feel free to comment. If you disagree, please do so with civility and respect. One of my passions in life is to encourage compassionate living as I see it exemplified in Jesus. That whole peace and love thing? I believe it.

George Lakoff has retired as Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley. He is now Director of the Center for the Neural Mind & Society (cnms.berkeley.edu).